Analyzing data from a sensor-enabled device

ABSTRACT

An approach for analyzing data collected by a sensor-enabled device over a network is provided. Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a set of usage data will be received from a device over a network. The set of usage data may be collected via at least one sensor integrated with the device, and the set of usage data may pertain to use of the device by a user. Regardless, the set of usage data will be compared to a set of diagnostic information stored in at least one computer storage device. The set of diagnostic information typically pertains to a condition (e.g., medical) treated by use of the device (e.g., dental, cardiac, renal, etc.). Based on the comparison, at least one determination (e.g., diagnosis, treatment plan, level of compliance with applicable standards, etc.) will be made and a set of reports will be generated based thereon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of,co-pending and co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/450,540,filed Apr. 19, 2012, and having attorney docket number END920120036US1,the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In general, embodiments of the present invention relate to dataanalysis. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate tothe analysis of data from a sensor-enabled device (e.g., a medicaldevice) over a network (e.g., a cloud computing network).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As technology continues to advance, medical devices/processes continueto evolve. For example, many medical devices and/or medical implementsmay be used to capture various forms of data. Such data may be used by amedical professional to diagnosis and/or treat a patient.

Challenges may exist where a healthcare provider and/or specialist isnot co-located with the medical device or the patient. Moreover, atypical healthcare care provider may analyze information recorded bysuch devices based on his/her own immediate knowledge or whateverreferences are available. As such, valuable time may be lost and/or anincomplete analysis may be performed.

SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach foranalyzing data collected by a sensor-enabled device (e.g., a medicaldevice/implement) over a network (e.g., a cloud computing network).Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a set of usage data will bereceived from a device over a network. The set of usage data may becollected via at least one sensor integrated with the device, and theset of usage data may pertain to use of the device by a user.Regardless, the set of usage data will be compared to a set ofdiagnostic information stored in at least one computer storage device.The set of diagnostic information typically pertains to a condition(e.g., medical) treated by use of the device (e.g., dental, cardiac,renal, etc.). Based on the comparison, at least one determination (e.g.,diagnosis, treatment plan, level of compliance with applicablestandards, etc.) will be made and a set of reports will be generatedbased thereon.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a computer-implementedmethod for analyzing data from a sensor-enabled device, comprising:receiving a set of usage data from the device over a network, the set ofdata being collected via at least one sensor integrated with the device,and the set of data pertaining to use of the device by a user; comparingthe set of usage data to a set of diagnostic information stored in atleast one computer storage device, the set of diagnostic informationpertaining to a condition treated by use of the device; making at leastone determination based on the comparing; and generating a set ofreports based on the at least one determination.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a system for analyzingdata from a sensor-enabled device, comprising: a memory mediumcomprising instructions; a bus coupled to the memory medium; and aprocessor coupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causesthe system to: receive a set of usage data from the device over anetwork, the set of usage data being collected via at least one sensorintegrated with the device, and the set of usage data pertaining to useof the device by a user; compare the set of usage data to a set ofdiagnostic information stored in at least one computer storage device,the set of diagnostic information pertaining to a condition treated byuse of the device; make at least one determination based on thecomparison; and generate a set of reports based on the at least onedetermination.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer programproduct for analyzing data from a sensor-enabled device, the computerprogram product comprising a computer readable storage media, andprogram instructions stored on the computer readable storage media, to:receive a set of usage data from the device over a network, the set ofusage data being collected via at least one sensor integrated with thedevice, and the set of usage data pertaining to use of the device by auser; compare the set of usage data to a set of diagnostic informationstored in at least one computer storage device, the set of diagnosticinformation pertaining to a condition treated by use of the device; makeat least one determination based on the comparison; and generate a setof reports based on the at least one determination.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for deployinga system for analyzing data from a sensor-enabled device, comprising:providing a computer infrastructure being operable to: receive a set ofusage data from the device over a network, the set of usage data beingcollected via at least one sensor integrated with the device, and theset of usage data pertaining to use of the device by a user; compare theset of usage data to a set of diagnostic information stored in at leastone computer storage device, the set of diagnostic informationpertaining to a condition treated by use of the device; make at leastone determination based on the comparison; and generate a set of reportsbased on the at least one determination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a computing node according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a system diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a system flow diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a method flow diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyschematic representations, not intended to portray specific parametersof the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typicalembodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered aslimiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numberingrepresents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments will now be described more fully herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsare shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and willfully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may beomitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms “a”, “an”, etc., do notdenote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of atleast one of the referenced items. The word “set” is intended to mean aquantity of at least one. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising”, or “includes” and/or “including”, whenused in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof.

As mentioned above, embodiments of the present invention provide anapproach for analyzing data collected by a sensor-enabled device (e.g.,a medical device/implement) over a network (e.g., a cloud computingnetwork). Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a set of usage datawill be received from a device over a network. The set of usage data maybe collected via at least one sensor integrated with the device, and theset of usage data may pertain to use of the device by a user.Regardless, the set of usage data will be compared to a set ofdiagnostic information stored in at least one computer storage device.The set of diagnostic information typically pertains to a condition(e.g., medical) treated by use of the device (e.g., dental, cardiac,renal, etc.). Based on the comparison, at least one determination (e.g.,diagnosis, treatment plan, level of compliance with applicablestandards, etc.) will be made and a set of reports will be generatedbased thereon.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a computing nodeis shown. Computing node 10 is only one example of a suitable computingnode and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope ofuse or functionality of embodiments of the invention described herein.Regardless, computing node 10 is capable of being implemented and/orperforming any of the functionality set forth hereinabove.

In computing node 10, there is a computer system/server 12, which isoperational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, mobile devices,global positioning systems (GPS), GPS-enabled devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed computing environments that includeany of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 12 in computing node 10 isshown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The componentsof computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limited to, one ormore processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18that couples various system components including system memory 28 toprocessor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a computerreadable signal medium, which may include a propagated data signal withcomputer readable program code embodied therein (e.g., in baseband or aspart of a carrier wave). Such a propagated signal may take any of avariety of forms including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic,optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signalmedium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computerreadable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, ortransport a program for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium including, but not limited to, wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, radio-frequency (RF), etc., or anysuitable combination of the foregoing.

Data analysis program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of programmodules 42, may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and notlimitation, as well as an operating system, one or more applicationprograms, other program modules, and program data. In general, dataanalysis program/utility 40 performs the function of the presentinvention as described herein. Each of the operating systems, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a consumer to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via I/O interfaces22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 can communicate with one ormore networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide areanetwork (WAN), a cloud computing network, and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a system diagram describing the functionalitydiscussed herein according to an embodiment of the present invention isshown. It is understood that the teachings recited herein may bepracticed within any type of networked computing environment (e.g., acloud computing environment). A computer system/server 12, which can beimplemented as either a stand-alone computer system or as a networkcomputer system is shown in FIG. 2. In the event the teachings recitedherein are practiced in a networked computing environment, each clientneed not have a data analytics engine (engine 50). Rather, engine 50could be loaded on a server or server-capable device that communicates(e.g., wirelessly) with the clients to provide data analysisfunctionality hereunder. Regardless, as depicted, engine 50 is shownwithin computer system/server 12. In general, engine 50 can beimplemented as data analysis program/utility 40 on computer system 12 ofFIG. 1 and can enable the functions recited herein. As further shown,engine 50 (in one embodiment) comprises a rules and/or computationalengine that processes a set (at least one) of rules/logic 52 and/orprovides data analysis functionality hereunder.

As indicated above, embodiments of the present invention are based on anapplication and algorithm that may analyze information received fromdevice sensors to determine the efficiency and/or effectiveness of auser's operation of the device. It is understood that although anillustrative embodiment discussed herein pertains to toothbrushes anddental hygiene, the teachings recited herein could be applied to anytype of device in any type of field (e.g., medical field) such as aglucose monitor, a hair brush, a heart rate monitor, dialysis equipment,etc. As such, it is understood that the teachings recited herein are notintended to be limited to dental hygiene analysis.

Along these lines, engine 50 may perform multiple functions similar to ageneral-purpose computer. Specifically, among other functions, engine 50may (among other things): receive (e.g., from a device 60 and/ormanufacturer of device 60) a set of usage data 54, device data 56 (e.g.,device type, product specifications, etc.), and/or other data 58 (e.g.,material information etc.) over a network (e.g., a cloud computingnetwork), the set of usage data 54 being collected via at least onesensor 62 integrated with the device 60, and the set of usage data 54pertaining to use of the device 60 by a user (e.g., a patient, a medicalpractitioner using device 60, etc.); compare the set of usage data 54 toa set of diagnostic information 66A-N stored in at least one computerstorage device 64A-N, the set of diagnostic information 66A-N pertainingto a condition (e.g., a medical state) treated by use of the device 60;make at least one determination (e.g., a medical condition of the user,such as a level of effectiveness of use of device 60) based on thecomparison (and device data 56 and/or other data 58); and generate a setof reports 68A-N based on the at least one determination.

In an illustrative dental embodiment, device 60 may be a tooth brush andusage data 54 may pertain to a user's use of the toothbrush. Thisinformation/data may be aggregated (e.g., by engine 50) along withdiagnostic information 66A-N (e.g., cavity data) received from ahealthcare provider and/or knowledge database, device data 56(toothbrush's specifications) received from a manufacturer or the likeof the toothbrush, and/or other data 58 (e.g., toothpaste type) receivedfrom a toothpaste manufacturer to determine the best toothpaste andbrushing habits to reduce tooth decay. Such data aggregation may allowfor evaluation of types of brush designs (speed, length of brush heads,depth of brushes, battery life, types of materials for effectiveness andlongevity), toothpastes, effectiveness of different brushing techniques,etc.

This data may be aggregated and sent to a dental practitioner where itcould be used to analyze where cavities occur compared to brushingtechniques. For example, the data may reveal that up and down brushingon some teeth surfaces work better for certain users, while a back andforth technique works better for other users. Moreover, the data mayreveal that certain toothpastes need more or less brushing time, causedextra tooth wear, etc. Still yet, this data may indicate how the user'sbrushing techniques affected his/her gum recession.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a process/system flow diagram evaluation ofdata from smart toothbrushes. It is understood that similar teachingscould be applied to other field/types of devices (e.g., renal,cardiothoracic, etc.), a dental example is depicted and described forease of illustration and simplicity purposes. As indicated in thediagram, this approach may provide dentists, toothbrush users,toothbrush manufacturers, dental practitioners, toothpaste and flossmanufacturers, etc., with the analytics reports required tosignificantly improve tooth brushing. For example, this approach may beused to improve: tooth brush design (e.g., battery life, layout ofbristles, mechanical brushing capabilities); methods of brushing (e.g.,time of day, length of time brushing, frequency of brushing, amount ofpressure used, etc.); and/or toothpaste design (e.g., amount of grit,whitening agents, decay prevention, plaque prevention, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 3, various forms of information/data may be collectedhereunder. In step P1, data may be collected from a dental provider.Such data may comprise: cavity information (e.g., tooth position andsurface); root canal information (e.g., tooth and surface); gumrecession information; tooth sensitivity information; whitenessmeasurement information, etc. In step P2, data may be collected from thesensor-enabled toothbrush. Such data may comprise: brush position (e.g.,tooth and surface, angle, etc.); brushing pressure; length of brushingtime; battery charge time; battery current charge amount/level; type ofbrush head installed and when installed (e.g., engine 50 could determinean optimal time to change head); unique unit design identification(e.g., for brush and mechanism design parameters, such as speed, rotary,or back and forth, etc. to be accessed). In step P3, data may becollected from a user of the toothbrush. Such data may comprise: thetype of toothpaste being used (e.g., received a scan, or other inputsuch as separate input via a cloud application or the like); times ofeating; types of food eaten; flossing times and amount; type of flossingused (string or tape or toothpick, etc.); whether the user isright-handed or left-handed, etc. Still yet, as shown in step P4, datamay be collected from the toothbrush and/or toothpaste manufacturer(s).Such data may comprise: information pertaining to a design of the brushhead (e.g., bristle material, size of bristles, length of bristles,number of bristles, angle of bristle cut, etc.); and informationpertaining to the design of the mechanism (e.g., battery, type ofbrushing: rotary or back and forth, etc.); information pertaining to anytoothpaste whitening agents present; fluoride types and other decayprevention agents; amount of toothpaste grit; plaque prevention agent(s)present; etc. It is understood that since the data collected in step P4may be collected from a variety of sources, such data may be filteredand/or placed into a standard data format P5 that is recognizable/usableby the system. Regardless, once some or all of this data has beencollected (and filtered/standardized), such data may be processed andanalyzed in step P6, and potentially stored in step P7, so as todetermine a user's dental progress and or hygiene. A set of reports maythen be generated in step P8. As shown, such reports may be provided toa variety of recipients such as patient empowerment systems P9A,customer relationship management (CRM) system P9B, toothbrushmanufacturers P9C, toothbrush users P9D, dental practitioners P9N, etc.

Illustrative Use Cases

Shown herein below are illustrative use cases describing embodiments inwhich the teachings recited above may be utilized. It is understood thatthe embodiments of the present invention are not intended to be limitedto these use cases.

Example—Use Case 1 Utilization of Toothbrush Usage Compared to CavityOutcomes

Overview: Assume in this example that a dentist, who has severalpatients with sensor-enabled toothbrushes, sends tooth healthinformation to the system and the patient's toothbrushes sendinformation on brushing habits. The engine then combines and analyzesthe brushing habit information with the tooth health information todetermine how brushing habits affect teeth health. Under such ascenario, the following steps may be performed:

1. Dentist submits information to system (e.g., cavity information suchas tooth position, surface, etc.);

2. The dentist's patients' sensor enabled tooth brushes provide thefollowing information on usage: position (tooth and surface, angle),pressure and length of time on each tooth surface, etc.;

3. Analytics are performed based on information received. Specifically,the analytics engine may compare the average time and pressure spent oneach tooth surface to the average number of cavities on a per user basisto determine the optimal brushing pressure and length of time per toothto maximize tooth health; and

4. An analytics report is sent to the dentist.

Example Use Case 2 Cavity Reduction Program with Dentist Based onRecommendation Data from Aggregated Tooth Brushing Studies

Assume in this example that a patient wishes to participate in astudy/program. Under such a scenario, the following steps may beperformed:

1. A patient decides to enroll in a toothpaste/toothbrush program;

2. A dentist sends information regarding the patient's cavities (e.g.,location and other related data), whiteness factors, enamel factors,etc., to the analytics engine;

3. The engine matches the patient's data to highest aggregatepercentages of other patients in a database;

4. The engine analyzes these matched records to find the most effectivetoothpaste/toothbrush/frequency, pressure, bristle type, etc., for thistype of patient;

5. Recommendations are passed back to the patient via the dentist;

6. The sensor-enabled toothbrush may monitor and provide real-timefeedback to the patient if they are following the recommendations;

7. Follow up with the dentist by dentist inputting the resulting datafrom the sensor-enabled toothbrush and any dental exams; and

8. The process may be repeated for follow-up care.

Example Use Case 3 Real Time Analysis and Feedback to Toothbrush User onPressure and Time Spent on Each Tooth Surface

Assume in this example that a user wishes to receive feedback based onhis/her use of the sensor-enabled toothbrush and the correspondingsystem described herein. Under such a scenario, the following steps maybe performed:

1. A User initially brushes his/her teeth multiple times;

2. The sensor-enabled toothbrush collects data of time and pressureapplied to each tooth surface;

3. After one or more tooth brushing sessions, data is communicated foranalysis hereunder;

4. An analysis is made of time and pressure applied to each toothsurface as well as the order of teeth being brushed;

5. Optionally, a graph showing the average, high, and lowest pressure oneach tooth may be shown to provide visual feedback to the user;

6. Optionally, a graphical representation of an amount of time spent oneach tooth surface may be shown to provide visual feedback to the user;

7. The user brushes his/her teeth; and

8. The sensor-enabled toothbrush provides real-time feedback of theamount of pressure and time applied for each tooth surface. For example,a warning noise and/or vibration may be provided if brushing pressure istoo much or too little. Also, once an allotted time is spent on eachtooth, there may be additional feedback needed to move to next surface.This warning may increase if too much time is spent on one surface.

Example Use Case 4 Program to Evaluate Best Toothbrush and ToothpasteDesign

Assume in this example that toothbrush and/or toothpaste manufacturerswish to participate in a program to evaluate their designs. Under such ascenario the following steps may be performed:

1. Manufacturers of toothbrushes opt into the program;

2. Manufacturers of toothpastes opt into the program;

3. Dentists are asked to participate in and opt into the program;

4. Patients/users are asked to participate in and opt into the program;

5. Dentists perform a full evaluation on each patient (e.g., cavityhistory, frequency of cavities, tooth whiteness, hardness, plaquebuildup, etc.);

6. Patients are assigned a smart toothbrush and toothpaste with multipleaspects: type of mechanical action (e.g., circular motion, rectangularmotion, etc.), type of bristles (e.g., bristle thickness, density, angleof cut edge, hardness), type of toothpaste (whiteness, plaque, fluorideconcentration, etc.);

7. The patients use the sensor-enabled toothbrushes according to anassigned schedule;

8. The sensor-enabled toothbrushes' records are updated with brushingdata pursuant to use of the sensor-enabled toothbrushes;

9. The sensor-enabled toothbrushes upload the data (real-time or batch);

10. The engine analyzes the data and provides feedback to themanufacturers, dentists, and/or patients;

11. At the end of the program, the dentists perform a full dentalevaluation on the patients and input corresponding data into a database;

12. The engine evaluates the data; and

13. The engine provides reports on the best types of these featuresaccording to patient types (e.g. people with very hard teeth shouldbrush twice a day using y bristle type and x toothpaste type, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 4, a method flow diagram according to anembodiment of the present invention is shown (e.g., as enabled by engine50 of FIG. 2). As depicted, in step S1, a set of usage data is receivedfrom a device over a network. As indicated herein, the set of usage datais typically collected via at least one sensor integrated with thedevice, and the set of usage data typically pertains to use of thedevice by a user. In step S2, the set of usage data is compared to a setof diagnostic information (e.g., pertaining to a condition treated byuse of the device) stored in at least one computer storage device. Instep S3, at least one determination is made based on the comparison. Instep S4, a set of reports is generated based on the at least onedetermination.

While shown and described herein as a data analysis solution, it isunderstood that the invention further provides various alternativeembodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides acomputer-readable/useable medium that includes computer program code toenable a computer infrastructure to provide data analysis as discussedherein. To this extent, the computer-readable/useable medium includesprogram code that implements each of the various processes of theinvention. It is understood that the terms computer-readable medium orcomputer-useable medium comprise one or more of any type of physicalembodiment of the program code. In particular, thecomputer-readable/useable medium can comprise program code embodied onone or more portable storage articles of manufacture (e.g., a compactdisc, a magnetic disk, a tape, etc.), on one or more data storageportions of a computing device, such as memory 28 (FIG. 1) and/orstorage system 34 (FIG. 1) (e.g., a fixed disk, a read-only memory, arandom access memory, a cache memory, etc.).

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method that performs theprocess of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or feebasis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, couldoffer to provide data analysis functionality. In this case, the serviceprovider can create, maintain, support, etc., a computer infrastructure,such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1) that performs the processes of theinvention for one or more consumers. In return, the service provider canreceive payment from the consumer(s) under a subscription and/or feeagreement and/or the service provider can receive payment from the saleof advertising content to one or more third parties.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides acomputer-implemented method for data analysis. In this case, a computerinfrastructure, such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1), can be provided andone or more systems for performing the processes of the invention can beobtained (e.g., created, purchased, used, modified, etc.) and deployedto the computer infrastructure. To this extent, the deployment of asystem can comprise one or more of: (1) installing program code on acomputing device, such as computer system 12 (FIG. 1), from acomputer-readable medium; (2) adding one or more computing devices tothe computer infrastructure; and (3) incorporating and/or modifying oneor more existing systems of the computer infrastructure to enable thecomputer infrastructure to perform the processes of the invention.

As used herein, it is understood that the terms “program code” and“computer program code” are synonymous and mean any expression, in anylanguage, code, or notation, of a set of instructions intended to causea computing device having an information processing capability toperform a particular function either directly or after either or both ofthe following: (a) conversion to another language, code, or notation;and/or (b) reproduction in a different material form. To this extent,program code can be embodied as one or more of: an application/softwareprogram, component software/a library of functions, an operating system,a basic device system/driver for a particular computing device, and thelike.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode can be provided hereunder and can include at least one processorcommunicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, to memory elementsthrough a system bus. The memory elements can include, but are notlimited to, local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, bulk storage, and cache memories that provide temporary storage ofat least some program code in order to reduce the number of times codemust be retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/outputand/or other external devices (including, but not limited to, keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening device controllers.

Network adapters also may be coupled to the system to enable the dataprocessing system to become coupled to other data processing systems,remote printers, storage devices, and/or the like, through anycombination of intervening private or public networks. Illustrativenetwork adapters include, but are not limited to, modems, cable modems,and Ethernet cards.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations arepossible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to aperson skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for analyzing datafrom a sensor-enabled device, comprising: receiving a set of usage datafrom the device over a network, the set of usage data being collectedvia at least one sensor integrated with the device, and the set of usagedata pertaining to use of the device by a user; providing a first graphshowing average, high, and low pressure applied to each tooth surface;providing a second graph of an amount of time spent on the each toothsurface; comparing the set of usage data to a set of diagnosticinformation stored in at least one computer storage device, the set ofdiagnostic information pertaining to a condition treated by use of thedevice; making at least one determination based on the comparing; andgenerating a set of reports based on the comparison, the set of reportsindicating the most effective toothpaste and bristle type according topatient phenotype.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising receiving a set of device information from amanufacturer of the device.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim1, the at least one condition comprising a medical condition of theuser.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, the at least onedetermination pertaining to a level of compliance of the user with a setof standards for prevention of a condition.
 5. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, the at least one determination pertaining to a levelof effectiveness of the device to treat the condition.
 6. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, the network comprising a cloudcomputing network.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein a solution service provider provides a computer infrastructureoperable to perform the method.
 8. A system for analyzing data from asensor-enabled device, comprising: a memory medium comprisinginstructions; a bus coupled to the memory medium; and a processorcoupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causes thesystem to: receive a set of usage data from the device over a network,the set of usage data being collected via at least one sensor integratedwith the device, and the set of usage data pertaining to use of thedevice by a user; provide a first graph showing average, high, and lowpressure applied to each tooth surface; provide a second graph of anamount of time spent on the each tooth surface; compare the set of usagedata to a set of diagnostic information stored in at least one computerstorage device, the set of diagnostic information pertaining to acondition treated by use of the device; making at least onedetermination based on the comparing; and generate a set of reportsbased on the comparison, the set of reports indicating the mosteffective toothpaste and bristle type according to patient phenotype. 9.The system of claim 8, the memory medium further comprising instructionsfor causing the system to receive a set of device information from amanufacturer of the device.
 10. The system of claim 8, the device beinga medical device, and the condition pertaining to a medical state of theuser.
 11. The system of claim 8, condition comprising a medicalcondition of the user.
 12. The system of claim 8, the at least onedetermination pertaining to a level of compliance of the user with a setof standards for prevention of the condition.
 13. The system of claim 8,the at least one determination pertaining to a level of effectiveness ofthe device to treat the condition.
 14. A computer program product foranalyzing data from a sensor-enabled device, the computer programproduct comprising a computer readable storage media, and programinstructions stored on the computer readable storage media, to: receivea set of usage data from the device over a network, the set of usagedata being collected via at least one sensor integrated with the device,and the set of usage data pertaining to use of the device by a user;provide a first graph showing average, high, and low pressure applied toeach tooth surface; providing a second graph of an amount of time spenton the each tooth surface; compare the set of usage data to a set ofdiagnostic information stored in at least one computer storage device,the set of diagnostic information pertaining to a condition treated byuse of the device; make at least one determination based on thecomparing; and generate a set of reports based on the comparison, theset of reports indicating the most effective toothpaste and bristle typeaccording to patient phenotype.
 15. The computer program product ofclaim 14, the computer readable storage media further comprisinginstructions to receive a set of device information from a manufacturerof the device.
 16. The computer program product of claim 14, the devicebeing a medical device, and the condition pertaining to a medical stateof the user.
 17. The computer program product of claim 14, the at leastone determination comprising a medical condition of the user.
 18. Thecomputer program product of claim 14, the at least one determinationpertaining to a level of compliance of the user with a set of standardsfor prevention of a medical condition.
 19. The computer program productof claim 14, the at least one determination pertaining to a level ofeffectiveness of the device to treat the condition.
 20. The computerprogram product of claim 14, the network comprising a cloud computingnetwork.